Robert Bruce (the Competitor), becomes King.....in the 1260s

Robert the Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale becomes King.
Now this is not in place of the Great Cause in the 1290s which eventually led to the Wars of Scottish independence. This takes place some decades earlier.

Robert was the Regent during the young Alexander III's minority, and was the closest living male Heir to the throne before the birth of his competitors, Balliol and Comyn. He was also designated heir presumptive in the case of Alexander III having no children.
Now, Alexander obviously dies before he is able to sire an heir...now if Robert, being heir presumptive becomes king, what exactly would happen?
 
IS this before or after Largs?

If before then I can still see the Isles passing more under Scottish control roughly as OTL.
If after then I think Robert will need a cause to cement his rule perhaps he goes more fully after Shetland etc?
Could we see him aim for Mann also?
 
John Balliol was still alive in the 1260's. He would have been in his teens, maybe even a child, but given that the Lords of Scotland were prepared to accept Margaret Maid of Norway as Queen when she was only a child I dont see that as a problem when it came to succession.

With Balliol still alive the Bruce will still face opposition to his claim, no doubt championed by his father and John Comyn on Balliol's behalf, leading to deadlock over the issue.

Most likely an earlier succession crisis in Scotland would prevent Scots like the Bruce going to fight in the Civil War in England - the Elder Comyn, the Bruce and the elder Balliol had all been captured fighting for Henry III at Lewes.
 
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